A-Key

not defined

Bootloader (also see IPL)

Is the first thing a device loads when it is restarted (booted). Which gives it instructions to load Windows Mobile. It essentially acts like the BIOS on a regular PC.

Brick

The term “brick” refers to when you tampered with your device firmware e.g. installing an unofficial ROM and your device becomes unusable or if you physically damage your device bad enough where it doesn’t work anymore. Note: If you were to install an unofficial ROM and your device becomes unusable, some people believe that their device has been “bricked”. But in 95% of the time you can just re-flash your device to get it working again.

CDMA

Refer to “Radio”

CID (Carrier Id)

Commonly used in the form “CID-Unlocking”. If you purchase your phone (example) from Qtek (Qtek is the 'carrier'), your phone will only accept Qtek ROMs (the carrier's ROMs). If you want to flash ROMs from other carrier, you'll need to CID-unlock your phone, so that your phone will accept other ROMs. Note: In general, the phrase 'unlock your phone' usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock. Thanks xda-developers for definition.

ESN

Electronic Serial Numbers (ESNs) were created by the FCC to uniquely identify mobile devices from the days of AMPS in the United States from the early 1980s. The administrative role was taken over by the Telecommunications Industry Association in 1997. ESNs are mainly used with AMPS, TDMA and CDMA phones in the United States, compared to IMEI numbers used by all GSM phones.[1] An ESN is 32 bits long. It consists of three fields, including an 8-bit manufacturer code, an 18-bit unique serial number, and 6 bits that were reserved for later use, although in practice these 6 bits have long been combined into a 24-bit serial number field. This format only allowed 256 different manufacturers to be distinguished. Therefore, when it became clear that this would not suffice, a new format was created, with a 14 bit manufacturer code and 18 bit serial number. All recently assigned ESN codes (and all UIMID codes) use this format. Manufacturer code 0x80 was reserved and now is used to represent pseudo ESNs (pESN) which are calculated from an MEID or EUIMID. Pseudo-ESNs are not guaranteed to be unique. ESNs are often represented as 11 digit decimal numbers or 8 digit hex numbers. The first three digits are the decimal representation of the first 8 bits (between 000 and 255 inclusive) and the next 8 are derived from the remaining 24 bits and will be between 00000000 and 16777215 inclusive. The decimal format of pseudo ESN's will therefore begin with 128. The decimal format separately displays 8 bit manufacturer codes, but not 14 bit codes. As ESNs are running out, a new serial number format named Mobile Equipment ID (MEID) has been created. MEIDs are 56 bits long, which is the same length as IMEI and, in fact, MEID was created to be compatible with IMEI. The main difference between MEID and IMEI is that the MEID allows hexadecimal digits while IMEI allows only decimal digits. The last of the virgin (never before used) ESN codes is expected to be allocated in 2008. Allocation will continue for a short time (likely through 2009) with reclaimed ESN codes, those previously assigned to AMPS or TDMA phones and therefore not present on cdma2000 systems. Reclaimed codes have been used for UIMID assignments for some time. Codes are assigned according to industry guidelines. Quoted from Wikipedia.

EV-DO

Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data only. is a telecommunications standard for the wireless transmission of data through radio signals, typically for broadband Internet access. It uses multiplexing techniques including Code division multiple access (CDMA) as well as Time division multiple access (TDMA) to maximize both individual user's throughput and the overall system throughput. It is standardized by 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000 family of standards and has been adopted by many mobile phone service providers around the world – particularly those previously employing CDMA networks. It is also used on the Globalstar satellite phone network. EV-DO was designed as an evolution of the CDMA2000 (IS-2000) standard that would support high data rates and could be deployed alongside a wireless carrier's voice services. An EV-DO channel has a bandwidth of 1.25 MHz, the same bandwidth size that IS-95A (IS-95) and IS-2000 (1xRTT) use.[2] The channel structure, on the other hand, is very different. Additionally, the back-end network is entirely packet-based, and thus is not constrained by the restrictions typically present on a circuit switched network. The EV-DO feature of CDMA2000 networks provides access to mobile devices with forward link air interface speeds of up to 2.4 Mbit/s with Rev. 0 and up to 3.1 Mbit/s with Rev. A. The reverse link rate for Rev. 0 can operate up to 153 kbit/s, while Rev. A can operate at up to 1.8 Mbit/s. It was designed to be operated end-to-end as an IP based network, and so it can support any application which can operate on such a network and bit rate constraints. Quoted from Wikipedia.

ExtROM (Extended ROM)

The section of the ROM (found on HTC devices) which the distributor of the phone (eg Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) store their customization (eg Today theme, ring tones, extra software) data. The customization data will be automatically installed at after the initial configuration (after every hardreset), just after the security section. In most cases, ExtROM can be unlocked to allow users to store/build their own customizations that will be automatically installed upon every hardreset. Note: Newer HTC models no longer have an ExtROM. But in its place there is a way to use you SD card to preform your own customization, prety much the in the same fashion as the extROM.

GSM also referred as TDMA

Refer to “Radio”

gpsOne

not defined

HSDPA

High-Speed Downlink Packet Access - is a wireless data technology built off of UMTS networks, capable of speeds of 1.8, 3.6, 7.2, or 14.4Mbit/s depending on network configuration.

IMEI

Refer to "ESN"

IPL (Initial program load)

Usually paired with Secondary Program Load (SPL), is the boot loader of your phone, much like the BIOS is the boot loader for your PC. Note: IPL/SPL are highly hardware dependent, flashing the wrong IPL/SPL is much more serious than a flashing the wrong ROM. It may be noted that, sometimes a ROM package also contains the IPL/SPL which will be flashed into your phone. Hence be extra careful what you are flashing. Note: although ROM may contain the IPL/SPL, `ROM` usually refers just to the OS part (eg the WM5, not the IPL/SPL). Thanks xda-developers for definition.

MEID

Refer to "ESN"

MIP (Mobile IP (or IP mobility)

Is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard communications protocol that is designed to allow mobile device users to move from one network to another while maintaining a permanent IP address. Mobile IPv4 is described in IETF RFC 3344 (Obsoleting both RFC 3220 and RFC 2002), and updates are added in IETF RFC 4721. Mobile IPv6 is described in IETF RFC 3775. Quoted from Wikipedia

MSL (Master Subsidiary Lock)

 The code for access the phones radio portions settings. Check out http://www.bridog.net/cellular/msl.txt for more info on MSL

Page Pool

Not defined

Personal Data Devices

PCD is a privately held company which essentially acts as glue between Asian electronics manufacturers and wireless carriers like AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless and others. The company works to supply wireless devices to carriers, and generally stamps those devices with just the carrier's brand.

Click here for info

Program memory

The non-persistent (volatile) flash memory part of a Windows Mobile device, which is used for all the temporary memory requirements, much like the RAM of your PC. A soft-reset or a dead battery will erase everything from the program memory. You can't adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 & up like WM2003 & earlier.

Radio

Is the radio portion of a cellular device such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code division multiple access Which is a technology of Qualcomm) The Radio is essentially a ROM that controls the phone function part (as oppose to PDA function part) of your phone. In the field of Radio ROM upgrading, may have effect on your phone reception quality, battery life (optimized phone function), signal strength, etc.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

The ROM is the firmware/software on your phone which act like the operating system (OS) for your phone. Much like Windows XP is the OS for your PC. Upgrading the ROM is essentially upgrading your OS. Note: a ROM may also contain IPL/SPL, and Radio but `ROM` usually refers to the OS part (e.g. the WM5). To further explain what makes up the ROM is broken down by the following files: The Following is from HTC devices:

•   Older HTC devices:

  • ms.nbf -  is the Extended ROM portion.

  • nk.nbf - OS portion. 

  • radio.nbf - Radio portion.

•   Newer HTC Devices:

  • Radio.nb - Radio portion.

  • OS.nb or Windows.nb - OS portion

  • SPL.nb - Secondary Program Load portion

  • PrimarySplash.nb - 1st Splash screen

  • SecondarySplash.nb - 2nd Splash screen

Thanks xda-developers for definition.

ROM Kitchen

Definition: is a term used in customizing (cooking) an official ROM to your liking. Cooks or chefs is what the commonly refer to actual individuals that create a customized ROM, hence making it an unofficial ROM.

RUU

Definition: Short for “Re-flash Upgrade Utility” or by some people “ROM upgrade Utility”. Which is a ROM/firmware update.

SIM

Definition: Subscriber Identity Module (e.g. Sim Card) which is only found on GSM phones. Some phones are locked to the specific carrier from which you purchase your phone, e.g. you can't use a locked AT&T phone using a SIM card from another carrier. To use SIM card from a other carrier, you need to SIM unlock your phone. Note: In general, the phrase 'unlock your phone' usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock.

SPL

Definition: Refer to `IPL`

Storage memory

Definition: In newer devices, The persistent (non-volatile) NOR-based flash memory part of WM5 & up, where all the files and documents are kept, much like the Hard disk of your PC. Data in the storage memory is un-affected by soft-reset or a dead battery. You can't adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 &up like WM2003. Because in WM2003 & earlier, used a different flash memory structure (NAND-based), in which your data would be completely lost in the event of a dead Battey. That’s the reason why older Window Mobile (PPC) had a backup battery. Since older devices has NAND-based flash memory they were faster, compared to the NOR-based flash memory, of newer devices.

Vocoder

Definition: Short for voice and encoder), is an analysis / synthesis system, mostly used for speech in which the input is passed through a multiband filter, each filter is passed through an envelope follower, the control signals from the envelope followers are communicated, and the decoder applies these (amplitude) control signals to corresponding filters in the (re)synthesizer. It was originally developed as a speech coder for telecommunications applications in the 1930s, the idea being to code speech for transmission. Its primary use in this fashion is for secure radio communication, where voice has to be encrypted and then transmitted. The advantage of this method of "encryption" is that no 'signal' is sent, but rather envelopes of the bandpass filters. The receiving unit needs to be set up in the same channel configuration to resynthesize a version of the original signal spectrum. The vocoder as both hardware and software has also been used extensively as an electronic musical instrument. The vocoder is related to, but essentially different from, the computer algorithm known as the "phase vocoder". Whereas the vocoder analyzes speech, transforms it into electronically transmitted information, and recreates it, the voder (from Voice Operating Demonstrator) generates synthesized speech by means of a console with fifteen touch-sensitive keys and a foot pedal, basically consisting of the "second half" of the vocoder, but with manual filter controls, needing a highly trained operator. Quoted from Wikipedia.

XIP

Definition: Execute in place In computer science, (XIP) is a method of executing programs directly from long term storage rather than copying it into RAM. It is an extension of using shared memory to reduce the total amount of memory required. Its general effect is that the program text consumes no writable memory, saving it for dynamic data, and that all instances of the program are run from a single copy. Quoted from Wikipedia.

About Us! | Terms of Use | Portals (Site Map) | Webmail
Questions, problems, suggestions & or comments regarding this web site should be directed to webmaster @ pcoperative.com
Copyright © 2009 PC Operative. All rights reserved.
Online Since September 30, 2004 Last modified: 02/08/10.